Reconstruction of Tibia Defect with Free Flap Followed by Ipsilateral Vascularized Fibular Transposition.
- Author:
Jung Chul HWANG
1
;
Duke Whan CHUNG
;
Chung Soo HAN
;
Jae Hoon LEE
;
Taeg Su KO
;
Yang Woo PARK
;
Jin Sung PARK
Author Information
1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea. dukech@khmc.or.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Tibia defect;
Free flap;
Ipsilateral vascularized fibular transposition
- MeSH:
Bone Transplantation;
Fibula;
Follow-Up Studies;
Fractures, Open;
Free Tissue Flaps;
Humans;
Sepsis;
Tibia;
Transplants;
Venous Thrombosis
- From:Journal of the Korean Microsurgical Society
2008;17(2):68-74
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Segmental defects of the tibia after open fractures, sepsis and a tumor surgery are among the most difficult and challenging clinical problems. Tibia defects in these situations are complicated with infection and are resistant to conventional bone grafting techniques. The aim of this study is to report the results and discuss the role of free flap followed by ipsilateral vascularized fibular transposition (IVFT) for reconstruction of tibia defects. Ten patients had free flap followed by IVFT in the period 1989~2007. Mean age was 25.3 years. The patients were followed for an average of 3.4 years. All flaps were survived including 1 case with venous thrombosis requiring additional surgery. The average time to union of proximal and distal end was 5.2 months, 8.2 months, each other. All transposed fibula were viable at last follow-up. IVFT offers the advantages of a vascularized graft. In patients with large bone and soft tissue defects combined with infection, free flap followed by IVFT is an useful and reliable method without microvascular anastomosis.
